[Technically Speaking] Isn’t It About Time

I can’t take it anymore!

Our industry has been repeatedly scrutinized regarding the misapplication of pesticides, efficacy of termiticide applications, and, even how we advertise our services. Despite the fact that we are a responsible and well-trained industry, genuinely attempting to serve the public, we have had state regulators, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states’ attorneys general breathing down our necks.

That’s not what upsets me. What upsets me are these pest management gadget manufacturers who continue to defraud consumers at will. They do it blatantly and without fear of prosecution. The FTC and EPA cannot say they are unaware of these devices unless they don’t receive any junk mail, read magazines when they travel by plane or receive the advertisements I have sent them over the years.

Having observed their interest (or lack of) in these charlatans over the past 10 years, I have concluded that they just elect to ignore them, claim they do not fall within their regulatory purview, or they have bigger fish to fry, i.e., us. Every once in a great while (years) they do go after one of these manufacturers.

AN EXAMPLE. For instance, just recently the FTC investigated one of these manufacturers, and probably the only reason they did is the manufacturer made a claim that the device would protect the purchaser from West Nile virus. The manufacturer indicated that they could not understand why they should have to stop making such a claim; the company sold millions of the devices and no one ever complained. The manufacturer further indicated it didn’t matter they had several more effective devices in development and soon to be in the marketplace.

The claims these manufacturers are making are outrageous and none have been independently tested and scientifically proven to work. There are devices that claim to:

• mimic the sounds of dragonfly wings beating — scaring mosquitoes away;

• mimic the sound of a male mosquitoes — drawing the female mosquitoes away;

• emit ultrasonic sounds (some have multiple frequencies e.g., select-a-pest) — driving pests from your home, business or yard;

• electromagnetic radiation — same as ultrasound; and,

• improve effective mosquito traps by adding the beat of a human heart.

In my opinion, allowing these manufacturers to sell these ineffective devices threatens the health of the purchaser and their family. A child with cockroach-associated asthma will not be protected by these devices — yet the implication that one of these devices will rid a house of cockroaches can be a life-threatening situation. Implied claims of protection from arthropod-borne diseases, such as mosquito-borne West Nile virus and malaria, also can be life threatening.

OTHER ALTERNATIVES? We are even beginning to see a proliferation of non-toxic pesticides that are creeping into our industry. Having tried several of these products, I seriously question their efficacy and whether this has been a part of the EPA process. My fear is that EPA — in its haste to approve these more environmentally friendly products — ignores efficacy and lets the marketplace determine the viability of a product.

It is time for these agencies, which are so eager to regulate our industry and ensure that we tow the line, put these people out of business for good. If they don’t have regulations to effectively regulate these manufacturers they need to write some.

It’s time we make a statement and insist that something be done to rid the marketplace of these bogus devices. I suggest that anytime you see an advertisement for one of these devices, you cut it out and mail it to the EPA, FTC, your state regulatory agency and your state’s attorney general. Save a copy of the letters. If they don’t respond send a copy to your state and federal congressional representatives. In effect, become a pest — it’s your constitutional right.

The old adage — let the buyer beware — should not apply to products that could potentially affect the health of the purchaser. I have no problem with a better mousetrap, as long as it works.

The author is technical director of American Pest Management, Takoma Park, Md. He can be reached at 301/891-2600 or rkramer@pctonline.com.